Toy hoop with stable platform for decorative displays

ABSTRACT

An ornamental hoop, or similar rotating member, with a counterbalance supported from the center axis of the member, serving to stabilize the hoop during rotation and maintain an ornamental standard in a vertical position during operation.

United States Patent 1191 LaGrow 1 Apr. 3, 1973 541 TOY HOOP WITH STABLE PLATFORM 166,931 8/1875 Langley ..46/220 FOR DECORATIVE DISPLAYS 1,960,981 5/1934 Stucker 46/220 x [76] Inventor: Alfred Cyrus LaGrow, 3615 North Harvard, Peoria, 111. 61614 22 Filed: May 4, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 140,041

[52] US. Cl ..46/220 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63h 13/02 [58] Field of Search ..46/l00, 114, 220

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 201,999 4/1878 Craig ..46/220 X 1,306,592 6/1919 Green ..46/220 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 306,722 1918 Germany ..46/220 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant ExaminerD. L. Weinhold [57] ABSTRACT An ornamental hoop, or similar rotating member, with a counterbalance supported from the center axis of the member, serving to stabilize the hoop during rotation and maintain an ornamental standard in a vertical position during operation.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAFRB 1973 3,724,126

INVENTOR ALFRED 5. LA 600w TOY HOOP WITH STABLE PLATFORM FOR DECORATIVE DISPLAYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Childrens hoops propelled by hand or push sticks have been enjoyed for ages. Decorative and mechanical innovations are continually proposed in an attempt to produce a commercially attractive toy capable of providing wholesome recreation. Making hoops easier to operate and adding contemporary ornamentation could revive the popularity of this old favorite. Although numerous artistic and musical innovations have been proposed for hoops, the problems of lateral balance, fore and aft stability, and operating control remain major obstacles to popular acceptance. Specific to the present development is the provision of auxiliary apparatus that will operate with minimum resistance and susceptibility to entanglement and which simultaneously assures maximum functional utility of the device.

Our highly technical society produces many sophisticated toys usually requiring batteries, special equipment or learned skills to operate. A hoop requires none of the aforementioned supports for successful operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Outrigger type stabilizers supported from the center axis of the hoop extend outward and downward from both sides in such a manner that a state of equilibrium is substantially assured whether the hoop is rotating or at rest. The geometric configuration of the stabilizing means affords retardation of rotative movement of the hoop whenever unstable operation occurs.

The placement of the stabilizing counterbalance is such that ready operation of the hoop by a push or guide stick is possible.

Another advantage of the subject invention is that it is simple, making it economically feasible. Also, since no special skills are required, a broad segment of the public could participate in, and enjoy, this activity. The above-noted feature of economic feasibility, non-dependence on supporting equipment, and the ability to be operated with ease and pleasure by even young people are essential attributes that should captivate public interest and contribute much toward commercial success of this invention.

A mobile rotatable amusement device with an attached stabilizing means assuring relatively constant equilibrium of the device also affords a platform for attaching decorative apparatus. These features invite people to participate in the operation of the rotating toy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the subject invention showing a toy airplane mounted on the display standard;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the toy;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the toy;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the toy at rest, supported by the stabilizer; I

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the axle, with the stabilizer and decorative standard mounted thereon; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view illustrating the braking action applied by the stabilizer whenever the toy becomes unstable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the subject invention comprises a counterbalanced, rotatable member or hoop, shown generally at 10, which is pushed and directionally controlled by a guide stick ll having a short crossbar 12 at its lower end. The outer periphery 13 of member 10 may be weighted to increase the effective mass to improve the hoops inertial properties. The rim is connected by spokes and a web or a pair of spaced walls 16 integrally or detachably coupling said rim to a centrally disposed hub 18, which in turn supports a shaft 20. As best shown in FIG. 5, shaft 20 has a bracket 22 at each end for attaching stabilizing apparatus, to be more fully described later.

Assembly of the shaft in the housing can be achieved by making one or both brackets 22 threadably attachable to shaft 20. The wheel or hoop will be held in position on the axle by the thrust faces 24. A feature essential to the success of mass-produced items is the ability to quickly and easily assemble the article. This invention provides a pair of laterally spaced ears 26 to receive and hold stub pins 28 formed on opposite sides of a tongue 30 that extends upwardly from the mid-section of each stabilizing member 32. The center of each tongue is relieved or notched sufficiently to allow pins 28 to be temporarily displaced by compression of the tongues sidewalls 34. The inner surfaces 36 of the tongue taper downwardly and inwardly to receive and rigidly support the individual, tapered, mating lower tips 38 of a bifurcated ornament supporting standard 40. The tapered tips coact with the tongue surface in such a manner that a resulting wedge-holding action maintains the elevated and extended outreach of the stabilizer, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Preferably, standard 40 is made vertically adjustable and of lightweight, flexible material that can withstand substantial abuse while supporting varied ornamental devices.

Stabilizers shown generally at 32 and extending to g each side of hoop 10 have arcuate lower edges 42 supported at their ends 44 by two upwardly converging arms 46. Edge 42 of the resulting triangular-shaped stabilizer is an arc with a radius larger than the radius of the hoop. The larger arc is desirable to provide a base upon which the toy will rest when not in motion. Although not shown, the supporting arms and groundcontacting surface of the stabilizer may be fabricated of wire, with the ends thereof forming a pair of stub pins for coupling to bracket 22. Means for receiving standard 40 could then be readily formed by shaping ballast weight would quickly place the stabilizers in a substantially, verticallyhbalanced condition relative to supporting ground surfaces. Effecting such a mode of operation would be easily attained because, as shown in FIG. 4, the hoop in an immobile condition is sufiiciently erect to be readily and satisfactorily activated by manual application of force upon the hoops periphery.

Excellent response from the hoop is realized because its center of gravity remains located substantially below the stabilizers point of support proximate pins 28, coupling tongue 30, and bracket 22. As shown in FIG. 4, in an inclined and relatively stable condition, a push in a radial direction on either of the hoops horizontally exposed edges would tend to provide momentum, causing the hoop to briefly pivot upon and about the supporting stabilizer. Very quickly, sufficient momentum and inertial force would be attained by the weighted hoop to erect itself, at which time both stabilizers seek a balanced condition entirely free from ground contact.

Conversely, if insufficient manual force is applied to maintain the hoop s equilibrium, the retarding force of friction normally will return it to its immobile FIG. 4 condition.

On steep inclines, such weighted hoops could attain substantial speeds and get out of control when operators are left behind. As shown in FIG. 6, in such an event the junctures 44 of edge 42 and supporting arms 46, specifically designed to exceed the peripheral edge of the hoop, would sway sufficiently and engage the ground surface upon encountering any kind of an obstacle. Inherently, further movement of the hoop would be retarded because a moment arm created by the projecting portion of the stabilizer would tend to elevate the weighted wheel and afford a positive force opposing further movement of the toy. The toy will come to rest, pivoting about the point of contact between the lower stabilizer member and the ground.

Regarding the specific geometric configuration and relationship of the stabilizers, it is to be noted that the thin longitudinally extending edges and support arms are disposed in a substantial vertical plane. In such a plane, these members meet minimum resistance from low lying grass and plants that normally grow erect without branches. Additionally, the arcuate edges serve effectively as relatively efficient runners and rockers in mobile and immobile conditions respectively to obtain a knifelike separation of the ground vegetation. When at rest, they allow, through a rocking motion, attainment of a state of equilibrium as the lower counterweight seeks a balanced state upon the supporting edge.

Another advantage afforded by the laterally extending brackets 22 is that very young children, using a forked push stick with vertically disposed tips, could more effectively engage and manipulate the hoop. Applying force through the hoop's axis and brackets would afford with each continued optimum balance for the toy.

While the embodiment of the toy as disclosed is particularly applicable for younger persons, older persons may obtain increased utility from the device by manipulating the toy with the stabilizers in retracted positions which afford maximum clearance. To efiect and maintain a glerpendicularpperative relationship for the stabilizers, e ower portions of the standards legs may be simply twisted or made rotatable so the tapered tips can be wedged downwardly between the tongues two sidewalls.

I claim:

1. A toy comprising in combination a circular rotatable member of a relatively thin section with centrally disposed bearing means, stabilizing means rotatably supported from said bearing means capable of maintaining said rotatable member is a substantially upright condition while it is immobile, said stabilizing means in a mobile condition acting to disengage itself from contact with a supporting ground surface.

2. A toy as set forth in claim 1 in which the stabilizing means has auxiliary means for receiving and maintaining a standard erect for the purpose of supporting decorative displays.

3. A toy as set forth in claim 2 wherein the auxiliary means is capable of receiving ballast sufficient to counterbalance the upwardly extending standard.

4. A toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stabilizing means are elevated sufficiently to allow inclination and turning of said rotatable member when a force applying member is engaged and urged in transverse directions.

5. A toy as set forth in claim 2 wherein said stabilizing means is capable of receiving and retaining varied amounts of ballast to assure satisfactory counterbalancing of a standard subject to fluctuating loads and forces.

6. A toy as defined in claim 3 in which the upwardly extending standard is attached to the stabilizing means proximate the bearing means in said rotatable member.

7. A toy as defined in claim 6 in which said standard is vertically adjustable.

8. A toy as defined in claim 6 wherein the lower portion of the standard is bifurcated with said lower portions capable of being attached to and supported by both ends of said bearing means.

9. A toy as defined in claim 7 wherein attachment means are afforded on the standard for securing ornamental devices.

10. A toy as defined in claim 7 in which fastening means are afforded with decorative devices. for attaching same to said standard.

11. A toy as set forth in claim 4 wherein the stabilizing means also includes an arcuate member, whose radius is greater than the radius of said rotatable member and extending beyond said rotatable member in both fore and aft directions, in a plane substantially the same as or below that of the bearing means, said arcuate member capable of becoming an eccentrically disposed fulcrum in relation to the rotatable member thereby serving to retard rotational movement of the toy by engaging the supporting surface and elevating the rotatable member and attached ballast when excessive speed or an unstable condition exists.

12. A toy as set forth in claim 11 wherein a bracket supporting said stabilizing means to said rotatable member is capable of receiving and retaining said standard to allow selective lateral adjustment of the stabilizing means. 

1. A toy comprising in combination a circular rotatable member of a relatively thin section with centrally disposed bearing means, stabilizing means rotatably supported from said bearing means capable of maintaining said rotatable member is a substantially upright condition while it is immobile, said stabilizing means in a mobile condition acting to disengage itself from contact with a supporting ground surface.
 2. A toy as set forth in claim 1 in which the stabilizing means has auxiliary means for receiving and maintaining a standard erect for the purpose of supporting decorative displays.
 3. A toy as set forth in claim 2 wherein the auxiliary means is capable of receiving ballast sufficient to counterbalance the upwardly extending standard.
 4. A toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stabilizing means are elevated sufficiently to allow inclination and turning of said rotatable member when a force applying member is engaged and urged in transverse directions.
 5. A toy as set forth in claim 2 wherein said stabilizing means is capable of receiving and retaining varied amounts of ballast to assure satisfactory counterbalancing of a standard subject to fluctuating loads and forces.
 6. A toy as defined in claim 3 in which the upwardly extending standard is attached to the stabilizing means proximate the bearing means in said rotatable member.
 7. A toy as defined in claim 6 in which said standard is vertically adjustable.
 8. A toy as defined in claim 6 wherein the lower portion of the standard is bifurcated with said lower portions capable of being attached to and supported by both ends of saiD bearing means.
 9. A toy as defined in claim 7 wherein attachment means are afforded on the standard for securing ornamental devices.
 10. A toy as defined in claim 7 in which fastening means are afforded with decorative devices for attaching same to said standard.
 11. A toy as set forth in claim 4 wherein the stabilizing means also includes an arcuate member, whose radius is greater than the radius of said rotatable member and extending beyond said rotatable member in both fore and aft directions, in a plane substantially the same as or below that of the bearing means, said arcuate member capable of becoming an eccentrically disposed fulcrum in relation to the rotatable member thereby serving to retard rotational movement of the toy by engaging the supporting surface and elevating the rotatable member and attached ballast when excessive speed or an unstable condition exists.
 12. A toy as set forth in claim 11 wherein a bracket supporting said stabilizing means to said rotatable member is capable of receiving and retaining said standard to allow selective lateral adjustment of the stabilizing means. 